The measure, Legislative Bill 839, sponsored by State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha would require purchasers of military-style tactical gear to be at least 21 and able to pass the federal background check required of gun buyers. Chambers said he’s serious about keeping tactical gear out of the hands of home-grown terrorists.

“Anybody who does a lot of harm or commits carnage,” said Chambers, who has long fought any bill that seeks to weaken gun regulations.

Sen. David Schnoor of Scribner, a proponent of gun rights who has clashed with Chambers in the past, shook his head when he learned about the bill.

“Is that directed at kids going out and having paint ball wars?” Schnoor asked. “I don’t even know how to reply to that, it’s ridiculous.”

The federal background check can exclude customers from buying a gun for multiple reasons, including certain criminal convictions, being declared mentally unfit by a judge, being a fugitive or being under a restraining order.

Chambers said he also intends to use the bill to discuss what he called the hypocrisy of the law enforcement response to the occupation of a wildlife refuge building in Oregon by a group of armed, white protesters. Authorities have not moved to forcibly remove the protesters, who oppose federal land ownership.

If the protesters were Muslims, authorities would have immediately taken armed action, Chambers said.

“If they were black people, they would be shot dead,” said Chambers, who is African-American.